barrel knot

1 8.6

A knot people who fish use to join two lines by wrapping the ends together

noun

Jargon

: nudo de barril

The barrel knot is often used by fly fishermen to connect different weights of leader material.

Examples

He tied a barrel knot to secure the lines.
To repair the broken line, she tied a secure barrel knot to join the two ends.
He practiced making a barrel knot until he could tie it quickly and efficiently.
The barrel knot is essential for anglers.
To connect the two fishing lines, he used a barrel knot to ensure a secure hold.
Anglers often rely on a barrel knot for tying together their fishing lines while out on the water.
When setting up for the fishing trip, she made sure to tie a barrel knot to join her two lines.

Synonyms

knot

vsbarrel knot

95 1.0

A fastening made by tying rope or string to hold things together

is a specific fishing joining method using two or three wraps rather than any fastening

fisherman's knot

vsbarrel knot

Specialized

1 6.1

A way of tying two fishing lines together so they hold well

uses a specific short wrap technique rather than a general tying method

blood knot

vsbarrel knot

Specialized

7.7

A strong knot for joining two fishing lines by wrapping their ends

uses fewer wraps, typically two or three, for a quick angler join

truelove knot

vsbarrel knot

8.8

A way of joining two ropes used as a symbol of love

is a practical angler join focused on short functional wraps not symbolism

true lover's knot

vsbarrel knot

7.9

A knot used to join the ends of two ropes so they stay together

is used practically by anglers with brief wraps rather than for symbolism

reef knot

vsbarrel knot

Specialized

5.2

A way of tying two rope ends by crossing them left then right to hold bandages or sails

relies on short repeated wraps for joining thin fishing lines instead

flat knot

vsbarrel knot

Specialized

3.6

A simple tie that joins two ropes securely, often used in sailing and wrapping packages

uses quick two or three wraps suited to fishing lines rather than a square join

hawser bend

vsbarrel knot

Specialized

9.9

A strong knot for joining the ends of two thick ropes

is designed for light fishing lines with brief wraps not heavy loads

carrick bend

vsbarrel knot

Specialized

9.9

A strong knot used to join the ends of two large ropes often on ships

is a small-line angler join made with few tight wraps, not large ropes

Surface Forms

barrel knot singular

barrel knots plural

Morphology

barrel + knot

The phrase transparently indicates a type of knot because 'barrel' modifies 'knot' and a B1 learner who knows both words can infer a knot with a barrel-like shape or quality. However, the specific technical function and tying method used by anglers (joining two lines by wrapping ends) is specialized and not fully predictable from the constituents, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The barrel knot is named for the small, barrel-like shape created when the ends of two lines are wrapped around each other, like a tiny barrel around the join. That's why this knot is used to 'join' two fishing lines securely.